State of Maryland

A Hydrographer I is the full performance level of professional competency hydrographic and civil engineering work in such areas as hydrographic surveying, waterways improvement and shore erosion control.  Employees in this classification may be assigned to work in any or all of the above areas.  Employees in this classification assigned to the area of hydrographic surveying are responsible for supervising Hydrographic Engineering Associates and members of ships’ crew engaged in the actual surveying operations.  Employees in this classification assigned to waterways improvement advise and assist political sub-divisions of the State in developing and improving waterways under provisions of the State Boat Act.  Employees in this classification working in the area of shore erosion control assist in developing and implementing programs to combat such erosion, as well as educating and gaining the assistance of the public on such matters.  Employees in classification have frequent contact with representatives of State and federal conservation agencies, county officials and the general public.  Employees in this classification may exercise close oversight over Hydrographic Engineering Associates and members of ships crews engaged in fieldwork.

Employees in this classification receives general supervision from a higher-level Engineer who outlines the work to be accomplished, the time allowed and the department policy to be followed.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Hydrographer I is differentiated from the Hydrographer II in that the Hydrographer I performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the Hydrographer II has advanced level responsibility for a major engineering project or several different minor projects and assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Hydrographers.

Directs the operation of hydrographic survey parties;

Establishes precise positions for buoys and beacons;

Prepares hydrographic and cartographic charts and maps;

Supervises on-site inspections for waterways improvement proposals;

Supervises the clearing of debris and obstructions from navigable waters;

Reviews requests of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for marine projects as they may affect the State’s marine resources;

Inspects shore properties, upon request, to determine protective measures to arrest erosion;

Prepares plans and specifications for erosion resistant structures;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of civil engineering methods and practices;

Knowledge of hydrographic surveying techniques and geodetic controls;

Knowledge of engineering plans and specifications for dredging operations and waterways improvements;

Knowledge of currents and littoral drift and application of shore erosion protective structures;

Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and other Maryland tidal waters;

Knowledge of the State Boat Act;

Ability to plan and conduct coastal and hydrographic surveys and to develop charts and maps;

Ability to prepare and interpret engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates;

Ability to make hydrographic and geodetic computations;

Ability to direct and coordinate all efforts on a major project;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Hydrographic Engineering Associates, other State and federal employees, county officials, and the general public;

Ability to supervise and train professional and technical employees.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in the field of civil engineering or geology from an accredited college of university.

Experience: Two years of experience in hydrographic, oceanographic, or civil engineering.

                                                                    OR

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in a different engineering field from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three years of experience in the field of hydrographic engineering and/or hydrographic surveying.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in a phase of civil engineering from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

3.  Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in hydrology classification or hydrology specialty codes in the hydrology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.